And she suffered --both in combat and from an attack by one of her own.

Tuesday, the Army veteran from Manchester will be the guest of Sen. Richard Blumenthal at the State of the Union address. She'll also have a chance to talk with Blumenthal's colleagues in the Senate about veterans' issues, including the PTSD she still endures, and the pernicious issue of military sexual assault. She was raped by a fellow soldier.

Lee was in four vehicles involved in roadside IED explosions, and suffered serious effects from concussion. She also had other combat-related injuries.

"I came to know Staff Sgt. Lee through her heroism on the battlefield and her struggle with post-traumatic stress. I didn't hear about her horrible experience with sexual assault until I began championing a measure on combating military sexual assault with Sen. (Kirsten) Gillibrand," Blumenthal said.

Lee "is very genuine and persevering. I was struck by the additional dimension of bravery in coming forward and saying she was going to be a voice and a face for the fight against sexual assault in the military," he added.

Blumenthal said he is "going to be very proud and excited to introduce her" to his Senate colleagues.

Other invitees to the President's speech from the Connecticut congressional delegation:

_ Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th District, has asked Lucas Codognolla, 23, lead coordinator of CT Students for a DREAM.

Brought to this country illegally, Codognolla is a graduate of Westhill High School in Stamford and the University of Connecticut. Codognolla has been able to get a job and a driver's license as a result of the deferred action program, but his prospects and those of his parents are still uncertain in the absence of immigration reform. Codognolla's group is made up of students pushing for reforms, and emphasizing the importance of access to education.

_ Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-5th District, has invited Lori Pelletier, leader of the AFL-CIO in Connecticut, who is the first openly lesbian woman to head a state labor federation.

_ Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, invited Katherine Hackett of Moodus, who introduced President Barack Obama earlier this month at a White House press conference. Hackett is one of 1.6 million Americans who have lost unemployment benefits since Congress cut off funding as of Dec. 28.